Oxford Pre-Law Program

Welcome from the Ohio State Resident Director Professor Stanley K. Laughlin

For the 22nd consecutive year, the Ohio State University and the University of Oxford will offer their Summer Pre-Law Program at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. The program, which is the oldest overseas pre-law program in existence, will be from June 29 (arrival in Oxford) to Aug. 2, 2008 (depart from Oxford).

Professor Stanley K. Laughlin, Jr. of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law will be the Co-Director of the program, along with Dr. Christopher Whelan of the University Oxford. Laughlin and Whelan have both been involved in the program for more than 18 years. Laughlin and Whelan, along with additional guest lecturers will teach an omnibus course entitled "Foundations of American Law: The Anglo-American Legal System." Other portions of the course are taught by a group of scholars from the prestigious Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, primarily of the University of Oxford. Students will earn 10 hours of graded Ohio State pre-law credit for the course.

It is generally known that the American legal system developed out of the Great Britain's legal system, and the strong influence of English law is still apparent in our system of law. Studying in a university that, for some 900 years, has had a major role in developing the current Anglo-American legal system, is valuable preparation for students who are contemplating studying law in America. In addition, we specifically devote time to helping prelaw students hone the skills necessary for success in American law schools.

Field Trips

Students will take field trips – which are all included in the program's fee – to several places of importance in the development of our legal system. Typically, these include trips to places like Windsor Castle (the Queen's official home), the fields of Runnymede (where the Magna Charta was signed in 1215), the Houses of Parliament, the Old Bailey, the Royal Courts of Justice, and he Inns of Court. There are also trips to places of cultural interest, such as Stratford-on-Avon to see a Royal Shakespeare Company production, Warwick Castle, a Proms Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Blenheim Palace (birthplace of Winston Churchill), Bath and Stonehenge.

Classes

Students usually are in class for about three hours each morning and, in addition to the class work, will write a substantial term paper under the supervision of a tutor, usually a member of the Oxford faculty or an associate of the Socio-Legal Centre. In the last week, each student leads a seminar on his or her paper topic.

Certification

Students in the Ohio State/Oxford Pre-law Program will receive a certificate of completion bearing the seals of both the Ohio State University and the University of Oxford, and signed by the appropriate representative of each school. Students from across the United States have graduated from our program. All participants in the Ohio State/Oxford Pre-Law Program will receive 10 hours of graded Ohio State Pre-Law credit.

Application Process

All interested and qualified sophomores, juniors, and seniors are encouraged to apply. Qualified juniors and seniors at other U.S. colleges or universities are also welcome to apply. You can learn more about the program by viewing program information and can download an application.

If you have questions concerning the content of the program, contact Professor Stanley K. Laughlin at laughlin.1@osu.edu. Questions concerning the application process, fees, financial aid or any other matters should be directed to Jane palmer, the Program Coordinator, at palmer.241@osu.edu.

Professor Laughlin has taught in or directed the OSU-University of Oxford Summer Law or Pre-Law programs a total six times since 1989. He also helped design, directed and taught in a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program at Oxford. Since the 1990's, he has attended international conferences at Genoa, Italy, Amsterdam, and Brighton, UK, among other places.

Professor Laughlin currently teaches Constitutional Law, Foreign Relations Law, Anthropology and Law, Ethical Issues of the Professions, and Law and Religion. He has taught and maintains an interest in Economic Regulation and the Constitution, Law and Society, Evidence, and Criminal Law. He holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Anthropology and is a member of the graduate school faculty.